Original Reads

Both chambers of the Rhode Island General Assembly today gave final passage to legislation to clear the way for a hotel at the Twin River Casino in Lincoln. The bills now go to the governor for her action.

Sponsored in the House of Representatives (2015-H 5798) by Rep. Jeremiah T. O’Grady (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket) and in the Senate (2015-S 0649A) by Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), the legislation removes a provision in the 2005 public laws that prohibits construction of a hotel at the Lincoln gaming facility. The legislation also provides that construction of a hotel at or in close proximity to Twin River will remain subject to the Town of Lincolnzoning ordinances.Anticipating competition from gaming facilities in nearby Massachusetts, casino officials expressed their desire to construct a hotel (a four-story structure with about 200 rooms) to remain competitive.Casino officials say the hotel will be built in the modest style of a Courtyard Marriott or Hampton Inn. Cost of building the hotel is estimated at between $30 million and $35 million, with construction taking about a year. Adding the hotel is expected to create about 200 temporary construction jobs and 100 full-time jobs, casino officials have said.